Drug use in England spikes during heatwaves, bank holiday weekends, and major sports events, according to new research that analyzed illicit drug traces in wastewater. The study, led by Imperial College London for the Home Office, found that the Eurovision song contest ranks among the most drug-fuelled nights of the year.
Study Details
The project is one of the most detailed investigations into drug use in a single country. Researchers analyzed more than 1,700 water samples from 15 treatment sites across England in 2022 to establish a baseline for future comparisons. The findings highlight when emergency services should prepare for more overdoses and drug-related incidents and show how public health messaging can be bolstered to reduce harm.
Key Findings
- Cocaine was detected at the highest average daily levels, followed by heroin, ketamine, amphetamine, MDMA, and methamphetamine. Cocaine and MDMA use peaked at weekends, though cocaine use remained high throughout the week. The 15 sites detected the equivalent of about 12 tonnes of cocaine over the year.
- Ketamine use was more stable throughout the week, with higher levels at seven sites in England than at any other European site monitored during the same period. Professor Leon Barron, who leads the research team, said: "People are using it every single day and to the same degree, no matter whether it's a weekend or a weekday. It's becoming very routinely used and it's really quite a worrying situation."
- Drug use spikes were linked to England's World Cup football matches, summer heatwaves, bank holidays (including the queen's platinum jubilee celebrations), and the Eurovision song contest, which saw rises in cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, and methamphetamine.
Implications
The work can help with emergency services planning and public health messaging. While more people take cocaine and other drugs during heatwaves, the health risks are greater in hot weather. Mixing alcohol and cocaine also carries extra risks.
Impact of Drug Seizures
The tests revealed the substantial impact drug seizures can have. In March 2022, authorities impounded 3.7 tonnes of cocaine at Southampton docks, which severely dented consumption in three cities for a month. "You can knock out or massively impact cocaine consumption in major urban areas, and these sites were hundreds of miles away from each other," Barron said.
Government and Agency Responses
A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency said ketamine use, dependence, and related harms had increased significantly in recent years, particularly among children and young people aged 16 to 24. "The drug can be seen as a safe party drug by young people, including students, who are unaware of the significant harm it can cause," they said.
A government spokesperson stated: "Our crackdown on drugs is having a real impact. We've strengthened our border security to tackle the criminal gangs putting lives at risk. Around 5 tonnes of cocaine have been seized by Border Force at just one port in less than a month – depriving criminal gangs of more than £400m worth of drugs."
In the UK, Taking Action on Addiction provides links to different support services. In the US, call or text SAMHSA's National Helpline at 988. In Australia, the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline is at 1800 250 015; families and friends can seek help at Family Drug Support Australia at 1300 368 186.
